Sports Birthdays for December 12 — Emerson Fittipaldi and More
Here are some of the people in the sports world celebrating birthdays on December 12:
Emerson Fittipaldi
Age: 66
Profession: Race Car Driver
Best Known For: A two-time winner of the Indianapolis 500, Emerson Fittipaldi drove Formula One and Indy cars from 1970 to 1996. He won championships in both Formula One and CART. In 1993, Fittipaldi won the Indianapolis 500, but drank orange juice in the winner's circle instead of the customary bottle of milk. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2001.
Billy Smith
Age: 62
Profession: Retired NHL Player
Best Known For: The greatest goalie in the history of the New York Islanders' franchise, Billy Smith played for the NHL team from 1972 to 1989. A fiery competitor given to outbursts while in the net, Smith was a key member of the Islanders' teams that won four consecutive Stanley Cup titles from 1980 to 1983. He was named the winner of the Vezina Trophy in 1982 as the league's best goalie. Smith won the Conn Smythe Trophy as Most Valuable Player of the playoffs in 1983. In 1979, he was the first NHL goalie to be credited with a goal. Smith was inducted into the Hockey Hall of Fame in 1993.
Cathy Rigby
Age: 60
Profession: Retired Olympic Gymnast
Best Known For: A two-time Olympian who helped popularize gymnastics in the United States, Cathy Rigby was the first American woman to win a medal at a world gymnastics championships. She earned the silver on the balance beam in 1970. Rigby was an actress, spokesperson and broadcaster after her gymnastics career ended.
Mike Golic
Age: 50
Profession: Retired NFL Player
Best Known For: A former NFL defensive tackle, Mike Golic played for the Houston Oilers, Philadelphia Eagles and Miami Dolphins from 1986 to 1993. He is currently the co-host of 'Mike and Mike in the Morning' with Mike Greenberg on ESPN Radio and TV.
Golic's older brother, Bob, was an All-Pro nose tackle in the NFL.
Tracy Austin
Age: 50
Profession: Retired Tennis Player
Best Known For: A former world No. 1-ranked tennis player, Tracy Austin won 30 career titles from 1978 to 1994, including the U.S. Open in 1979 and 1981. In 1979, Austin became the youngest player ever to win the Open at the age of 16 years and 9 months. She was elected to the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 1992.
John Randle
Age: 45
Profession: Retired NFL Player
Best Known For: A seven-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle, John Randle played for the Minnesota Vikings and Seattle Seahawks from 1990 to 2003. Randle was named to the NFL 1990s All-Decade Team. He finished his career with 137.5 sacks. Randle was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2010.